Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-04-14

A dispatch in yesterdays GAZETTE an
nounced the almost total destruction Mon
day morning of Farnham, Richmond county,
Va. About two thirds of the village was
destroyed a man, smoking, dropped
spark in +. Mozingo'5 carriage factory, and
The fire GOT headway at once. The barn,
dwelling and other houses of Edward l..
MozingO and F. Mozingo, besides number
of other buildings close by, were quickly
consumed. The fire spread across the
county road, and seized the Protestant Epis'
copsl Church, q structure built in Colonial
times, Of pressed brick, and one of the old
est churches in Virginia. 1t was construct
cd after the old models, with four wings.
After the war funds were raised, and the
church was put in good order. It had been
decorated, and the day before, Easter SCR
vices were held in ii. It WAS the only Epis-
copal church on that route between Warsaw
and Heathsvilie, stretch of about twenty
five miles. 1t being county court day, most
of the male inhabitants in The village,
which probably has two hundred people,
we're absent at Warsaw, the county seat,
ten miles above The fire swept everything
before it. and left but three or four dwell
iues in the place. The village occupies con-
siderable space. This alone prevented The
destruction of the whole place. Great ex-
citement prevailed during the fire. Num-
bers of families piled their household goods
| in the streets expecting their houses to 90
evary moment, and lost considerable prop.
ertv by thieves Mrs. K. Il. Reynolds keeps
! the postoffice in The village. Her husband
| is q disabled Confederate, and could render
but little service. She said she and her four
! children and husband barely had time tc
ra> out of the house, which was near the
8En;sc opal Church, before the flames burst
IN Tn, ey lost everything, and are in des'
titute con 'dition. Only few stamps oe-
iono;no r. 'he postoffce could be saved.
paI;sa onsius .ha ~ Ios in houses, which for viii
Iace r9 Of ;ts ts, sizs w;U be heavy, Mr.. Mozlngo
and Others lost vaiGa2le papers. i;. me we ~
lage was one of the oldes. 10 tnav seo''Uu ,,;h ~
the country. 1t was 81. 'os'eI IT, oI h;..ns,, -
ground, in o healthy location. I.s L''.O,S o
is interesting. The old church "siUh sact e"eJ "a
destroyed by the fire has had c. 'ech Z. Gu
career. In his report to the Virginia GO Cp!.
vention of 1888 Bishop Meade says - his
church was first built more than a hundfeo
years ago, after the form of the cross and IN
the best style of ancient architecture" Ii
afterwards fell into disuse, and Of this the
Bishop in the same report says:
"What causes led to its early desertion, prema-
ture spoliation and shameless proclamation l am
nnsble to state, but it is ssd by the neghbors
not to have been used for the last thirty or forty
x.ears. Thus deserted as house of God, it be-
came prey to every spoiler. An extensive brick
wall which surrounded the church and guarded
the graves of the dead was torn down and used
for hearths chimneys and other purposes all the
coupty round. The interior OF the house soon
sunk into decay and was carried piecemeal away.
For many years it was the common receptacle OF
every beast of the field aud fowl of the air. 1t
was used as gIanary, stable, resort.tor hogs
and everything that chose to shelter there"
The old church finally became q distillery,
hut in 1885 the Rev. Washington Nelson
took charge of it, and at an expense OF
81, 400 restored the building. Bishop Meade
concluded his report on the church by say.
ing : They have made OLD Farnham one OF
the most agreeable, convenient and beautiful
churches ia Virginia 1t should also be
mentioned that the handsome desk, pulpit
and sounding board now to be seen in Farm
ham Church were once in Christ Church,
Baltimore, when the Rev. Mr.. Johns otticia'
ted there They were q present from the
minister aud vestry ofthat church. Church
men in Virginia and Maryland will very
likely make an effort to restore the edihce
again. The parish of North Farnham was
created in 1893.
Mr.. DAvIs's TRIBUTE TO LEE.-The Hon.
Jefferson Davis, in his speech at the unveil-